Proto Tools

[Apache3057]

New to the Garage Journal. Looking to get input on Proto Tools. Have plenty of tools and I am starting to acquire some different pieces and trying to get input on them.

 

[ken w.]

There is nothing wrong with Proto tools. I wish there was a Proto Tool truck that went around like the Snap On or Mac trucks. For me , they are a pain to warranty as I don't have an account at the local suppliers who handle them. I give them to a friend who does.

 

[B_Bimmer]

What do you want to know? They are good tools, if they make it the quality is among the best. Warranty is simple, mail it in, they mail it back.

 

[Apache3057]

Thanks for the info. I am trying to upgrade and replace some of the foreign stuff in my tool box. Usually see Proto stuff at our local flea market cheap.

 

[Wes J]

Proto is a great marque with a long heritage. The quality is excellent. They are not particularly innovative, but they are consistent and will be around forever.

They aim for the industrial market. You won't find a lot of tools aimed specifically for the automotive world like the truck brands. They make a lot of really large tools for oil and gas. They also make odd things like beryllium tools for no-spark conditions and slugging wrenches up to crazy sizes.

 

[PFSard]

Thanks for the info. I am trying to upgrade and replace some of the foreign stuff in my tool box. Usually see Proto stuff at our local flea market cheap.

I would be grabbing those inexpensive Proto tools if they are in decent shape. I have a variety of Proto including screwdrivers, socket sets, wrenches. Very satisfied with the quality.

Browse GJ and you will find other recommendations for brands that you will also probably find at the flea market for cheap money.

 

[wafrederick]

I have a few Proto tools and like them.My dad has a complete 3/4 drive Proto Challenger set he bought used a long time ago.He paid $500.00 for it at the time.The Challenger line is no longer made and you get a Blackhawk tool for a replacement.I did this once,a broken 7mm Proto Challenger shallow socket in 3/8 drive sending it to Proto getting it replaced.Sent me back a Blackhawk socket for a replacement.

 

[martin666]

Have a few Proto socket sets ( all 3/8" drive ) a couple 'clicker' adjustable wrenches and some wooden handle with the metal cap screwdrivers . Top shelf tools. Have around 45 socket sets, the majority being Snap On and Mac and have never even thought of replacing my Proto sets

 

[Fedwrench]

Proto tools are usually outstanding quality that will serve you well. I disagree that they're aren't designed for the Automotive repair field though. There are many fleet techs that rely on PROTO tools to keep their vehicles on the road.
Additionally, many current MAC tools and PROTO versions are the same. Take the Duratek screwdrivers and the Knuckle Saver wrenches for example. When it comes to hardline mechanics hand tools, PROTO is an excellent choice.

 

[racinfarmer]

Love my Proto tools.

 

[matemike]

I work in offshore drilling. We use Proto primarily. I'd say exclusively but we do have some westward, Klein and elkhind stuff out there too such as tool bags and Allen wrench sets. But EVERYTHING else as far as hand tools is Proto and all tool storage is nothing but Proto. I could not be more impressed for the quality of these tools to stand up to the marine environment and abuse that a roughneck can put on them.
Therefore it is my tool brand of choice at home. This is mainly due to them being quite affordable considering the market in which they compete. Include a company discount from grainier or completely unrelated a Zoro discount and the answer is only that much easier.

Home box


And it's full of Proto.

 

[Wes J]

I'm not talking about the hard line stuff, wrenches, sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, etc.

I mean that Proto doesn't make things like O2 sensor sockets, wheel bearing sockets, brake tools, serpentine belt tools, etc.

They used to market specialty automotive tools but now Stanley pushes you more to Mac for that kind of stuff.

 

[B_Bimmer]

That is a beautiful tool box... I want to see inside.

 

[four.cycle]

Proto = excellent product. Top-shelf stuff.
Masters at what they do - no reason for them try to be all things to all people making every "specialty" widget in the known universe - there's all kinds of outfits stamping that stuff out.

 

[John in OH]

Yep, I agree, Proto is an excellent tool brand. As already noted above, they are more oriented to industrial applications than automotive. But that doesn't make any difference if you are talking just the main line tools like wrenches, ratchets, sockets, screwdrivers, etc.

I retired from the fossil power generation industry .... lots of BIG equipment ... and Proto was one of the four tool brands used nearly exclusively in the plants (the others being Wright, Armstrong and Williams). And I mean to tell you the plant mechanics beat the **** out of these tools and these brands could take it!!

 

[matemike]

That is a beautiful tool box... I want to see inside.

Thanks

 

[B_Bimmer]

Very nice, looks a lot less crowded and more organized then I end up. It would be a joy to work at home with tools like that.

 

[oldldh]

Well, I have to, don't I...

Proto Yellow Handle Classic Professional Screwdrivers...

They aren't manufactured anymore, but you can find them, if you search...

Just my opinion, but, I think they're the best screwdrivers ever made...

 

[PureLeaf]

I really like my Proto tools, however I recently had to warranty a 12mm ratcheting wrench with Proto. Bought it brand new, used it on its first job for disassembly of a 4runner doing a water pump/timing belt and it locked its gears up. I called the Proto phone number, and they told me to mail the wrench to North Carolina with all my information. So I did that, 2 weeks later, still no sign of a repair/replacement.

So I phoned them up again, they said please try calling the North Carolina facility for more info and gave me the number. So I did that, and the NC facility said they don't deal with that sort of things, please try calling this customer service phone number at Stanley tools (Not the Proto number). So I did that, and the lady told me that they simply replace tools, they do not have customers send them in for items like that. That she'd send me a replacement and I gave her my information. Been about another week so far, still no sign of that replacement wrench... so we'll see...

Specifically bought the Proto Ratcheting wrenches because they were USA made and not Chinesium, but this warranty has been a bit of a headache. For anyone that needs to warranty Proto stuff, call Stanley's customer service number, not Proto's number.

 

[Apache3057]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all of the info. Picked up some challenger stuff today.

 

[Fedwrench]

Specifically bought the Proto Ratcheting wrenches because they were USA made and not Chinesium, but this warranty has been a bit of a headache. For anyone that needs to warranty Proto stuff, call Stanley's customer service number, not Proto's number.

That's weird. I warrantied a 10 mm that locked up. I called Proto customer service & they wanted me to take it back to my point of purchase. I explained that I had bought it from Zoro and they didn't want it. The customer service rep had me mail the wrench to their Conyers, GA facility for replacement & I got a new wrench in a week.

 

[PureLeaf]

That's weird. I warrantied a 10 mm that locked up. I called Proto customer service & they wanted me to take it back to my point of purchase. I explained that I had bought it from Zoro and they didn't want it. The customer service rep had me mail the wrench to their Conyers, GA facility for replacement & I got a new wrench in a week.

Weird you were told to mail yours to GA, and I was told NC, only to be told by that final rep, that I should not have mailed it in at all and they just send a replacement..

 

[gdocktor3]

I mailed in a few different items I had and they sent them all back to me with in a week or two. This was about a year ago and don't remember where they were shipped to, but they did email me a prepaid shipping slip. It was only a couple screwdrivers and a couple sockets. One other time I emailed them because I was just curious about a few things and I asked where they were located and they told me - "some tools are made in Dallas. The DC is in North Carolina and there is a call center in GA. The corporate office is in New Britain."

 

[jrobb316]

I really like my Proto tools, however I recently had to warranty a 12mm ratcheting wrench with Proto. Bought it brand new, used it on its first job for disassembly of a 4runner doing a water pump/timing belt and it locked its gears up. I called the Proto phone number, and they told me to mail the wrench to North Carolina with all my information. So I did that, 2 weeks later, still no sign of a repair/replacement.

So I phoned them up again, they said please try calling the North Carolina facility for more info and gave me the number. So I did that, and the NC facility said they don't deal with that sort of things, please try calling this customer service phone number at Stanley tools (Not the Proto number). So I did that, and the lady told me that they simply replace tools, they do not have customers send them in for items like that. That she'd send me a replacement and I gave her my information. Been about another week so far, still no sign of that replacement wrench... so we'll see...

Specifically bought the Proto Ratcheting wrenches because they were USA made and not Chinesium, but this warranty has been a bit of a headache. For anyone that needs to warranty Proto stuff, call Stanley's customer service number, not Proto's number.

That's interesting because I had the same issue with a brand new 12mm ratcheting USA wrench. I called up and they said mail it in (Georgia I believe). I did and a week later I had a new wrench.

 

[jt777]

They are a industrial brand kinda like gray tools. No real fine tooth ratchets or anything but top notch quality. I love their duratek screwdrivers

 

[PureLeaf]

That's interesting because I had the same issue with a brand new 12mm ratcheting USA wrench. I called up and they said mail it in (Georgia I believe). I did and a week later I had a new wrench.

Disappointing to hear you have the same story with your 12 mm USA ratcheting wrench. Mine locked up the very first job I used it on. Doesn't really bode well for this particular tool =/ I don't want to be warrantying these things every time I use them!

 

[gdocktor3]

Disappointing to hear you have the same story with your 12 mm USA ratcheting wrench. Mine locked up the very first job I used it on. Doesn't really bode well for this particular tool =/ I don't want to be warrantying these things every time I use them!

Oddly, I have the Taiwan made spline ratchet wrench set in sae at home, as well as at work, and they work perfectly. Its unfortunate, but for some reason I read about a lot more problems with USA made products compared to their cheaper counter parts made over seas. Another example is the USA Williams socket set topic that's floating around the forum right now. I realize these are only a few small flaws in a world filled with quality American made tools, but it's still pretty odd.

 

[B_Bimmer]

Oddly, I have the Taiwan made spline ratchet wrench set in sae at home, as well as at work, and they work perfectly. Its unfortunate, but for some reason I read about a lot more problems with USA made products compared to their cheaper counter parts made over seas. Another example is the USA Williams socket set topic that's floating around the forum right now. I realize these are only a few small flaws in a world filled with quality American made tools, but it's still pretty odd.

Well, I know if I had a problem with my Taiwan ones nobody would ever hear about it because they were cheap, the US made ones are VERY expensive, that leads to some pretty lofty expectations.

 

[PureLeaf]

I agree. I had a gear wrench set, abused them left and right and they still work great. But I want to put dollars in the hands of american manufacturers and workers, so I bought this Proto USA ratcheting set. Not too impressive at the moment.

I've now bought my most used sizes in SK's new ratcheting wrenches. We'll see how those do too.

 

[Wes J]

They are a industrial brand kinda like gray tools. No real fine tooth ratchets or anything but top notch quality. I love their duratek screwdrivers

The round head ratchets are 72 tooth. Same mechanism as Facom.

 

[PureLeaf]

Just wanted to update, my replacement wrench arrived today. Looks like the key to warrantying Proto tools is to call Stanley Customer Service. Not Proto's.